Modi inducts INS Kolkata in Mumbai

The new Indian Naval ship (INS) Kolkata anchored at the navy dock during its media preview in Mumbai (AFP Photo)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday commissioned INS Kolkata, India's largest indigenously built warship, at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai.

It is an advanced version, but significantly more versatile, of the Delhi-Class ships – INS Delhi, INS Mysore and INS Mumbai – which will add considerable teeth to India's maritime warfare capabilities with all-round capabilities against enemy submarines, surface warships, anti-ship missiles and fighter aircraft.

Defence minister Arun Jaitley and chief of naval staff Admiral RK Dhowan were also present during the ceremony.

"INS Kolkata is entirely built in India and it is a symbol of self-reliance," said Modi while addressing the sailors at the commissioning ceremony.

Watch:PM lauds Navy, dedicates INS Kolkata to nation​

Terming military might as the biggest deterrent to war, Modi said the defence forces will be modernised to ensure that "nobody casts an evil eye" on the nation.

"Fighting a war and winning it has now become less difficult these days. But a modern military, armed with state of the arm weaponry alone is a guarantee against war. When we are capable, no one can dare challenge us," Modi said addressing a gathering after dedicating the largest indigenously built warship INS Kolkata to the nation.

"When people have a sense of our military capability, nobody will ever dare to cast an evil eye on our nation," he said.

Stressing the importance of maritime security in fast expanding global trade and commerce, the Prime Minister said India, with its vast coastline, was playing a major role in it.

"In the coming days, INS Kolkata will inspire confidence to those involved in maritime trade," he said.

Describing the building of the destroyer ship as a big achievement by India's technicians, engineers and defence experts, Modi said the government was committed to modernising the defence forces so "our jawans don't feel they are lagging behind in defending our nation.

"When I dedicate INS Kolkata to the nation, I am confident it will boost our military prowess and give confidence to our soldiers."

The warship, constructed by the Mazagon Dockyards Limited, has been designed by Navy's design bureau. The 6,800 tonne warship is a technology demonstrator and will showcase a giant leap in shipbuilding technology in the country.

The Prime Minister had dedicated India's largest warship INS Vikramaditya to the nation in June in his first outing after taking charge.

Modi said that the government has taken important decisions in its budget and has given priority to "defence upgrade".

Referring to the decision of allowing 49% FDI in defence, Modi said, "We have to import (military hardware)... Because of this one decision, India can become self-reliant in this sector.

Our youth will become innovative and a day will come when India will export in this sector."

Defence minister Jaitley said the commissioning of INS Kolkata gives an impetus to the Indian Navy.